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1 – 10 of over 1000The International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) is a tool for harmonising education-related information. It covers almost all countries in the world and is…
Abstract
The International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) is a tool for harmonising education-related information. It covers almost all countries in the world and is centrally maintained and documented by UNESCO Institute for Statistics. ISCED is commonly used in official statistics and surveys (e.g. by OECD and Eurostat), but it is also increasingly used for the measurement of educational attainment in academic cross-national surveys. ISCED has been revised between 2008 and 2011, and the new version was adopted by the UNESCO General Conference in November 2011. This research note describes ISCED 2011 and the most important changes as compared to the previous version, ISCED 1997, with a special focus on educational attainment. A brief discussion of strengths and weaknesses of the classification as well as future challenges conclude the note.
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David J. Finch, Gashaw Abeza, Norm O’Reilly and Carola Hillenbrand
The purpose of this paper is to examine the drivers of independent sales contractor (ISC) performance. As independently contracted sales agents, the ISC model is a growing method…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the drivers of independent sales contractor (ISC) performance. As independently contracted sales agents, the ISC model is a growing method of non-permanent employment utilized in many sectors. Specifically, this study seeks to fill a gap in the literature related to the under-researched link between ISCs and organizational identification.
Design/methodology/approach
This study conducts an exploratory, mixed-methods study based on data collected from 189 ISCs from a professional services firm.
Findings
Results demonstrate that outcomes related to sales performance, retention and advocacy are influenced directly and indirectly by organizational identification. It also shows that tangible benefits related to financial and marketing values are the strongest predictors of ISC organizational identification. Intangible dimensions such as value congruence, management trust and embeddedness play a limited role in the model.
Research limitations/implications
Results show that ISC sales performance is enhanced when an ISC views their identity and the identity of the firm as highly interdependent. These findings suggest that organizational identification can be a key performance indicator when evaluating the return on marketing investment for a firm.
Practical implications
This study provides some important guidance to managers responsible for ISCs. First, the study identifies the primary drivers of organizational identification. Specifically, the study demonstrates that financial and marketing benefits are the primary relational antecedents of organizational identification. Both value congruence and operational benefits play relatively minor roles. Similarly, the results show that both organizational identification and historic sales performance are critical predictors of sales performance.
Originality/value
Few researchers have examined the link between ISCs and organizational identification. Organizational identification is of particular importance in the study of ISCs, as they possess the dual identity of an independent agent and that of a sales representative of the firm they are under contract. This study contributes to existing literature by extending previous studies that examine antecedents of sales performance.
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Hanna Moon, Doam Ryu and Dongwon Jeon
Industry skills council (ISC) in Korea is at an earlier stage in terms of its formation and incubation. As a governance model similar to sector councils in Canada and UK, it still…
Abstract
Purpose
Industry skills council (ISC) in Korea is at an earlier stage in terms of its formation and incubation. As a governance model similar to sector councils in Canada and UK, it still requires training and development of talents who work for ISCs. The purpose of this study is to analyze the effectiveness of training programs that are currently provided to personnel of the ISC to foster their learning systematically and to develop measures for effectiveness of the training programs.
Design/methodology/approach
This study evaluated the training program for the staff of the ISC secretariat as a tool to activate the councils’ main functions. In terms of methodology, we developed an effective training model to measure the training transfer and used it as an analytical framework for evaluation. Success case method was applied to identify the best case of training transfer that reinforces the role and function of ISC.
Findings
Learning transfer can help not only the transfer of the learning contents but also the role of the organization that the members belong to and strengthen the function of the ISC. By transferring the content matter of the learning, it can help strengthen the capacity of members to carry out the roles and functions of the ISC, and further strengthen the functions of the council and the role of key players in labor markets.
Research limitations/implications
An effective training model for the personnel of national sectoral bodies or non-profit organization can be further investigated.
Practical implications
The learning transfer evaluation model for ISC staff has unique characteristics that are different from previous studies. ISC has the characteristics of public goods that are established with government support and are active in developing human resources in each industry sector.
Originality/value
Incubating ISC in South Korea is at an earlier stage in terms of research and policy practice. The research findings in this study lay the foundations for further empirical explorations.
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In 2000 a consortium headed by David Richards acquired the commercial and promotional rights to the World Rally Championship (WRC) via International Sportsworld Communicators (ISC…
Abstract
In 2000 a consortium headed by David Richards acquired the commercial and promotional rights to the World Rally Championship (WRC) via International Sportsworld Communicators (ISC) Ltd. ISC planned to market the WRC with the stated objective of gaining a top five position as a global sports television brand. This case study was developed between 2000 and 2003 by the author, a marketing professional in the WRC, based on interviews with ISC management. The ISC marketing strategy was found to be divided into four phases: research, development and planning, execution, and evaluation and revised strategy.
Xianghong Fan, Yuting He and Tao Chen
Flexible eddy current array (FECA) sensor is flexible and light in weight, which has broad application prospects in structural health monitoring. But, the sensor’s sensing channel…
Abstract
Purpose
Flexible eddy current array (FECA) sensor is flexible and light in weight, which has broad application prospects in structural health monitoring. But, the sensor’s sensing channel number is more, increasing the added mass of sensor networks. This paper aims to reduce the sensing channel number by changing the sensing coil layout.
Design/methodology/approach
In this paper, FECA sensors with series sensing coil (SSC) layout and interactive sensing coil (ISC) layout are proposed, which reduce the number of sensor’s channels by half. Then, the variation of the output signal of the sensor when the crack expands along both sides of the hole is analyzed by simulation model. Finally, the fatigue crack monitoring experiment is carried out.
Findings
For the SSC layout, the simulation results show that the amplitude of each SSC group of the sensor increases when the crack propagates to the left or right. For the ISC layout, when the crack propagates on the right side of bolt hole, the induced voltage of each ISC group decreases. When the crack propagates on the left side of bolt hole, the induced voltage of each ISC group increases. The experiment results are consistent with simulation results, which verifies the correctness of simulation model. Compared with SSC layout, the ISC layout can judge the crack propagation direction. And the crack monitoring accuracy is 1 mm.
Originality/value
The research results provide a certain reference for reducing the number of sensor’s sensing channels. Results of the simulation and experiment show that the ISC layout can judge the crack propagation direction, and the crack monitoring accuracy is 1 mm.
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Nurul Asmui Azmi Md Azmi, Ai Ping Teoh, Ali Vafaei-Zadeh and Haniruzila Hanifah
The purpose of this study is to examine factors, which influence information security culture among employees of telecommunications companies. The motivation for this study was…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to examine factors, which influence information security culture among employees of telecommunications companies. The motivation for this study was the rise in the number of data breach incidents caused by the organizations’ own employees.
Design/methodology/approach
A total of 139 usable responses were collected via a Web-based questionnaire survey from employees of Malaysian telecommunications companies. Data were analysed by using SmartPLS 3.
Findings
Security education, training and awareness (SETA) programmes and information security awareness were found to have a positive and significant impact on Information Security Culture. Additionally, self-reported employees’ security behaviour was found to act as a partial mediator on the relationship between information security awareness and information security culture.
Research limitations/implications
The study was cross-sectional in nature. Therefore, it could not measure changes in population over time.
Practical implications
The empirical data provides a new perspective on significant elements that influence information security culture in an emerging market. Organizations in the telecommunications industry can now recognize that SETA programmes and information security awareness have a significant impact on information security culture. Employees’ security behaviour also mediates the relationship between information security awareness and information security culture.
Originality/value
This is the first study to analyse the mediating effect of employees’ security behaviour on the relationship between information security awareness and information security culture in the Malaysian telecommunications context.
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Mohanbir Sawhney, Lisa Damkroger, Greg McGuirk, Julie Milbratz and John Rountree
Illinois Superconductor Corp. a technology start-up, came up with an innovative new superconducting filter for use in cellular base stations. It needed to estimate the demand for…
Abstract
Illinois Superconductor Corp. a technology start-up, came up with an innovative new superconducting filter for use in cellular base stations. It needed to estimate the demand for its filters. The manager came up with a simple chain-ratio-based forecasting model that, while simple and intuitive, was too simplistic. The company had also commissioned a research firm to develop a model-based forecast. The model-based forecast used diffusion modeling, analogy-based forecasting, and conjoint analysis to create a forecast that incorporated customer preferences, diffusion effects, and competitive dynamics.
To use the data to generate a model-based forecast and to reconcile the model-based forecast with the manager's forecast. Requires sophisticated spreadsheet modeling and the application of advanced forecasting techniques.
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Elaine Wallace, Isabel Buil and Sara Catalán
This study explores consumers' self-congruence with luxury fashion brands they mention on Facebook. It investigates the extent to which those brands are congruent with the actual…
Abstract
Purpose
This study explores consumers' self-congruence with luxury fashion brands they mention on Facebook. It investigates the extent to which those brands are congruent with the actual self (ASC) or the ideal self (ISC), and whether ASC or ISC of luxury fashion brands on Facebook predicts purchase intention. It also examines trait antecedents of both ASC and ISC Facebook mentions of luxury fashion brands, specifically materialism, self-monitoring and self-esteem.
Design/methodology/approach
Findings are presented from a survey of Facebook users who mention luxury fashion brands on the social medium.
Findings
Self-esteem was revealed as an antecedent of ASC luxury fashion brands mentioned on Facebook, while materialism and high self-monitoring predicted ISC luxury fashion brands. Only ASC luxury fashion brands mentioned online were positively associated with purchase intention.
Research limitations/implications
Results are exploratory, and they are limited to those who are active Facebook users and who mention a luxury fashion brand on Facebook.
Practical implications
The study offers implications for managers of luxury fashion brands seeking to utilise Facebook to enhance the purchase intention for their brands or to increase the idealisation of the brand.
Originality/value
The paper provides new insights into the relationship between self-congruent mentions of luxury fashion brands on Facebook and purchase intention of those brands, distinguishing between ISC and ASC. This research also offers valuable and useful insights into ISC and ASC antecedents.
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Hanna Moon, Kirak Ryu and Sangoh Park
This paper aims to describe how the human resources development (HRD) policy has shifted from the national level to the sectoral levels; the paper also explains the changes that…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to describe how the human resources development (HRD) policy has shifted from the national level to the sectoral levels; the paper also explains the changes that have been made in skills formation in the economy by presenting the emergence of Industry Skills Councils (ISC).
Design/methodology/approach
This paper presents perspectives of which include reviewing the change of governance and skills formation at the sectoral level.
Findings
Skills development strategy is needed both at the sectoral and national levels to cultivate the core competencies of Korean talents. The feedbacks based on the HRD practices implemented at the micro level are delivered to the state governments and business associations via the ISCs. The policymaking has thus become more decentralized from the state government, and it now reflects inputs from the practical field in the process of making new policies.
Originality/value
Korean skills regime is still difficult to classify because it does not follow the skills formation regime discussed in current scholarship. While the state government has played an active role in decision-making, financing and delivery of vocational training programs since the early phase of economic development, engagement by social partners has been limited in the Korean vocational education and training (VET) system. The participation of social partners in the Korean VET system has been limited, but various stakeholders such as the labor unions; trade unions; chambers of commerce; and small, medium and large enterprises have been engaged gradually in skills identification, formation, development and implementation within individual sectors.
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Effective information security management (ISM) contributes to building a healthy organizational digital ecology. However, few studies have built an analysis framework for…
Abstract
Purpose
Effective information security management (ISM) contributes to building a healthy organizational digital ecology. However, few studies have built an analysis framework for critical influencing factors to discuss the combined influence mechanism of multiple factors on ISM performance (ISMP). This study aims to explore the critical success factors and understand how these factors contribute to ISMP.
Design/methodology/approach
This study used a mixed-method approach to achieve this study’s research goals. In Study 1, the authors conducted a qualitative analysis to take a series of International Organization for Standardization/International Electrotechnical Commission standard documents as the basis to refine the critical factors that may influence organizations’ ISMP. In Study 2, the authors built a research model based on the organizational control perspective and used the survey-based partial least squares-based structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) approach to understand the relationships between these factors in promoting ISMP. In Study 3, the authors used the fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) method to empirically analyze the complex mechanisms of how the combinations of the factors affect ISMP.
Findings
The following three research findings are obtained. First, based on the text-based qualitative analysis, the authors refined the critical success factors that may increase ISMP, including information security policies (ISP), top management support (TMS), alignment (ALI), information security risk assessment (IRA), information security awareness (ISA) and information security culture (ISC). Second, the PLS-SEM testing results confirmed TMS is the antecedent variable motivating organization’s formation (ISP) and information control (ISC) approaches; these two types of organization control approaches increase IRA, ISA and ALI and then promote ISMP directly and indirectly. Third, the fsQCA testing results found two configurations that can achieve high ISMP and one driving path that leads to non-high ISMP.
Originality/value
This study extends knowledge by exploring configuration factors to improve or impede the performances of organizations’ ISM. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is one of the first to explore the use of the fsQCA approach in information security studies, and the results not only revealed causal associations between single factors but also highlighted the critical role of configuration factors in developing organizational ISMP. This study calls attention to information security managers of an organization should highlight the combined effect between the factors and reasonably allocate organizational resources to achieve high ISMP.
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